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This column reflects the opinion of the writer. Learn about the differences between a news story and an opinion column.

Misuse of utility funds

The July 12th Spokesman-Review article “Let’s play a game of Bridge” raises serious concerns. Thanks to the S-R for reporting this to the Spokane area.

The diverting of utility rate payments for a park bridge is a violation of the trust that such payments are to go solely for utility service, regardless of the fabricated justification to do otherwise. If this misuse of utility funds stands, what will the next diversion be for who knows what? Ratepayers should be able to rely on the city council, mayor and city management to handle such funds judiciously.

In the state of Washington, utility operations are enterprise funds that must be restricted to utility operations for the benefit of the rate-paying customers, nothing else.

John Bjork

Mead

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